Young guns fire Brazil past arch-foe Argentina
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Shanghai Daily, September 30, 2011
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Argentina's Pablo Guinazu (left) chases Brazil's Ronaldinho during a soccer friendly match in Belem, Brazil on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. |
Two second-half goals by teenage forwards Lucas and Neymar inspired Brazil to a 2-0 win over arch-rival Argentina in a friendly played only with home-based players in Belem on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old Sao Paulo forward Lucas, one of the leading lights in the South American under-20 title earlier this year, capped off an exhilarating run from Brazil's own half with a well-placed shot nine minutes after the break. Neymar added the second for the host in the 76th from close range after a low cross from the left from substitute Diego to thrill home fans in the Amazonian city.
While Argentina had virtually no senior players on the field, Brazil was boosted by former FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho and 19-year-old Neymar, who has become a first-choice in the national team despite his youth.
Ronaldinho, who has been in fine form for Brazilian championship contender Flamengo, was recalled to the national side earlier this month for the 1-0 friendly win over Ghana in London, his first start in nearly a year.
The former Barcelona forward, a World Cup winner in 2002, is now seen by Brazil coach Mano Menezes as a mentor for the new generation of players being groomed in the lead-up to the 2014 World Cup on home soil.
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